Metal or concrete industrial water tanks and freezing cold air are a dangerous combination in the dead of winter. The water inside a water tank doesn’t magically remain a liquid during frigid temperatures—it’s susceptible to freezing just like any other body of water. What are the dangers associated with how freezing temperatures impact industrial water tanks? Keeping yourself aware of the hazards will prepare you for any winter incident with your tank.
The Dangers of Ice
Protecting your industrial water tank from freezing temperatures means keeping ice from forming. Ice can form inside your water tank during extreme cold, which can cause physical damage to the tank. A heavy ice cap that forms inside the tank on the top of your water may scrape against the sides of the tank and break off bolts or cause leaks. More dangerous yet is the threat of ice escaping into the passageways through which water flows, such as the drains or pumps. These pipes can be less qualified to handle the scraping and clanging of ice than your industrial grade tank is, and therefore, the ice may cause extreme internal damage.
External Tank Damage
While internal ice is a concern, you also need to be concerned about external tank damage. Water storage tank insulation is a must-have for any type of tank. Both concrete and metal industrial tanks react to cold temperatures in similar ways. Cold temperatures make what are normally sturdy materials contract. Freezing, contracting tanks are more vulnerable to damage than tanks in average temperatures. In concrete, especially, the tank may develop cracks or leaks that may release water or allow contaminants to invade the safe environment of the tank. Installing one of Royal Liner’s plastic liners for concrete tanks keeps the contents of the tank safe while you focus on repairing the exterior.
Vent Coverage
Knowing how to keep your industrial water tank from freezing also means keeping vents clear. Snow or ice that covers the top vent of your industrial-grade water tank can pose a larger problem than you may imagine. When your tank lacks airflow that allows water to flow freely, a large release of water can cause a vacuum effect and destroy the entire tank. Because the freezing temperatures cause brittle or condensed tanks, the vacuum effect can crumple the tank like an aluminum can. During the winter, keeping the vent clear of snow, ice, or critters is essential for both the health of your tank and safety of the water inside.
Many of the effects of how freezing temperatures impact industrial water tanks can be assisted with the installation of a tank liner from Royal Liner. Our liners will ensure the clean water inside your tanks stays in your tank during the winter and not frozen outside of it. Contact us today to learn more about our industrial water tank liners.
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